Laundry apparatus for washing and centrifuging clothes



July l0, 1951 1'. P. CALHOUN 2,559,708

LAUNDRY APPARATUS Fo'R WASHING Ann csqu'rm'ucunc;v cLomEs Filed March"r, 1945 4 sheds-sunt 1 m1111111/ lll 111/ lll/l Clttomeg Her ber C.Cover) July 10, 1951 T. P. wfzALl-IOUN LAUNDRY APPARATUS FOR WASHING ANDCENTRIFUGING CLOTHES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1945 n u O Bnventorh l 45 f'| I il l i ///////////////l///////// Tuyro R C01 QQH CittornegUfilness HUI-bevi C. Covecg My 1o, 1951 I, P, CALHOUN 2,559,708 lLAUNDRY APPARATUS FoR wAsmG AND csn'x'arrucmc mm1-:Es

ttomeg July 10, 1951 'r'.l P. cALHoUN LAUNDRY APPARATUS FOR WASHING ANDCENTRIFUGING CLOTHES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Hatch 7, 1945 winsss Herber.Coveg Patented July l0, 1951 2,559,708 LAUNDRY APPARATUS FOR WASHN GAND CENTRIFUGIN G CLOTHES Taylor P. Calhoun, Fall River,

houn administran-ix of said Taylor P. Calhoun deceased Mass.; Ann E. Cab

Application March 7, 1945, Serial No. 581,513 15 Claims. (Cl. 68-25)speed to separate the from the clothes by centrifugal force.

It has heretofore been customary in comprised a barrel mounted to rotateor to oscillate about a horizontal axis; and a satisfactory type ofcentrifuge has comprised a basket rotated at high speed about a verticalaxis. The use of two separate pieces of apparatus for domestic use, oreven in various commercial laundry and cleaning establishments, involvesvarious problems inherent in transferring the clothes from one apparatusto the other, and the operations cannot be accomplished automatically.It has therefore been proposed to combine the two in a single apparatusin which a basket carrying the clothes is first rotated about ahorizontal axis is rotated about a vertical axis for the centrifugalextracting of the uid in the clothes. proposed double axis apparatus,the power is applied through transmission gearing, clutches and otherdevices which require making and breaking mechanical connections beforethe basket movement can be changed from one axis to the other; and manyproblems are involved in adapting such a machine for an 'automaticoperation through a complete washing, rinsing, centrifuge cycle.

Other 'types of combination apparatus have involved rotating the basketabout the same horizontal or obliquely inclined axis for both thewashing and .centrifuge operations; but the centrifugal force set up bya high speed whirling of an unbalanced mass of clothes produces a highAttempts at compensating for this out of balance condition in a singleaxis machine have not been Wholly satisfactory. Moreover, no attempt hasbeen In such applying power to rotate selectively about two differentaxes a basket that is universally mounted to seek a running balance orto reduce or eliminate vibration.

A primary object of this invention is to overcome such problems and toprovide a double axis machine in which the clothes basket may berotatively moved either continuously or oscillatively about one axis,and preferably a horizontal axis, for the cleansing operation, andthereafter rotated rapidly about a different and substantially verticalaxis for the centrifuge operation, and wherein compensation, eitherpartial or full, is made for any out of balance condition of the whichpermits the loaded basket to attain a static balance at the end of thewashing operation and then lock it in that position for the centrifugingstage.

Another object of the invention is to provide laundry apparatus havingtwo independently controlled power driving mechanisms for rotativelymoving the basket slowly about a horithe centrifugal extracting step,and which will accelerate and decelerate the basket movement smoothly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a laundry apparatus inwhich the clothes basket ismoved about two different axes for thewashing and centrifuging operations, and wherein the power drives forthe two movements are maintained always in an operative relationshipwith the basket, so that each may be selectively employed for moving thebasket without the disadvantages involved in making and breakingmechanical drive connections, and the various stages of washing, rinsingand centrifuging may be readily accomplished merely by suitable controlof the power to the two drives, as well as the introduction and removalof the cleansing and rinsing fluids.

A further object of the invention is to provide a laundry apparatushaving the clothes basket rotatable about two different axes for thewashing and extracting operations in which the basket is universally orotherwise so mounted that it will never be out of balance or, the natureof the balance being disturbed by movement of the clothing or any otherinuence affecting the location of the center of gravity, will tend tocompensate automatically for such out of balance condition by moving torestore its center of mass into alignment with the axis of rotation, andwherein power driving mechanism is maintained in operative relationshipwith the basket and may be applied for rotative movement of the basketirrespective of the position which the basket has assumed in seeking tocompensate Yfor an out of balance condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction having adouble axis suspension for the clothes basket which permits cleansing orrinsing iiuid to be introduced to the interior of the basket during itsrotation about either of said axes.

Another object is to provide for oscillation of the basket for a washingoperation and continuous rotation for centrifuging. Other objects willbe made apparent or pointed out in the following disclosure.

Although the various principles and aspects of my invention hereindescribed may be applied separately or in various combinations in manytypes of apparatus. I have illustrated in the drawings certain preferredembodiments having them in combination. The preferred laundry apparatushas a basket mounted for oscillative or rotative movement about oneaxis, and preferably a horizontal axis, for the cleansing operation andfurther mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis forcentrifugally extracting the fluid therein. The basket is so exibly oruniversally mounted that, in accordance with the laws of motion, it willmove laterally to bring the center of mass into alignment with the axisof high speed rotation and so seek and preserve a static balance at thebeginning of the centrifuge stage or maintain a running balance duringhigh speed rotation aboutavertical axis.

The support for the clothes lled basket may comprise a. universal jointcarrying the basket as a depending or an inverted pendulum with theparts so arranged that the basket may swing automatically to permit itscenter of mass to seek axial alignment with the center of the universalsuspension joint. The basket may also be supported on gimbal rings orflexible or resilient supports or other suitable constructions whichpermit the center of mass of the basket and its contents to move towardsa position of static or running balance. Power may be appliedselectively to rotate the basket either continuously or oscillativelyabout one axis for the cleaning operation or to rotate it continuouslyabout the vertical axis for the centrifugal extraction of fluid by meansof drive mechanisms which are maintained in operative relationship withthe basket for al1 positions thereof. Although the power drive may be anelectric motor, I prefer to employ a ymotor operated by fluid underpressure and particularly for moving the basket during the washingoperation. For example, the fluid propulsion for rotating the basketabout either a substantially horizontal axis or a vertical axis or bothvmay comprise a pelton wheel drive. This type of iiexible drive may alsobe employed for rotating the basket about either or both axes in doubleaxis laundry apparatus having no compensation for providing a runningbalance. The fluid jet pelton wheel drive is preferred since it may bemaintained in an operative relationship with the basket, so that controlof the basket movement requires merely a manual or automatic control ofsuitable valve mechanisms.

The application of these various principles of my invention to differentand preferred types of laundry apparatus is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, and in which:

Fig. l is a vertical elevation, partly in section. showing one form ofconstruction in which the clothes basket is revolved about bothhorizontal and vertical axes by means of pelton wheel drives, andwherein the basket is so suspended that it may seek a running balanceduring centrifuging and so compensate for an out of balance arrangementof the clothes;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine, with parts broken away to showthe interior construction;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing theoperation of the upper valve;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l showing theoperation of the lower valve;

Fig. 5 is a vertical elevation, partly in section, of a modifiedconstruction having a basket mounted on gyroscopic gimbal frames whichare so arranged that the basket may move to align its center of masswith the vertical axis of centrifuge rotation; f

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the construction ofFig. 5;

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary vertical section of a modification in which thebasket trunnions are mounted on resilient supports and provision is madefor forcing a uid jet into the basket;

Fig. 8 is a detail showing the swivelled pipe for propelling the peltonwheel;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail showing how the basket is rotativelyoscillated; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail showing an automatically operated lockfor the statically balanced basket.

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,clothes may be Washed or cleaned in a suitable fluid, such as a solutionof soap and water or a dry cleaning fluid, such as gasoline or benzine,by oscillating or tumbling them in a basket which moves, and preferablyrotates, about a horizontal axis. In this construction, the basket I0 isshown as substantially spherical in shape, although other shapes may beemployed. This basket is preferably made of sheet metal provided witha-large number of suitably located, close spaced perforations Ii soarranged that the cleaning fluid may pass between and through theclothes in the basket. For tumbling the clothes, a set of baffles orribs l2 may be provided. These may .be formed by crimping the walls ofthe spherical basket in the process of manufacture, or as illustrated inFig. 2 this may comprise a V shaped solid or perforated rib that iswelded or otherwise secured in place. Each of the ribs, of which theremay be four, may extend inwardly to a considerable distance. such asabout one-third of the radius. The ribs may be arranged as desired, suchas crossways of the basket with their` inner edges parala horizontal lelwith the tated about carried upwardly until they slide on the ribs andthus are tumbled through the cleaning uid within the basket. It desired.the basket may have a central vertical partition perpendicular to itsaxis of rotation. This divides the clothes so that the wet mass is lesssubject to tearing strains during centrifuging, as may be set up lby thecentrifugal force pulling the clothes in opposite directions across thevertical axis.

In order to permit rotation ofthe basket about axis, it is provided withtrunni'ons Il in axial alignment which are mounted in radial and endthrust ball bearings I6 of suitable construction. I'he outer bearingraceway is carried inner cylindrical surface oi' a bearing on thedepending arms of a i'rame 2li, as illustrated.

The gimbal frame 20, which may be made oi' tubes or anged sheet metal,may comprise a set oi' U-shaped arms (Fig. 2) extending .radiallyperipherally spaced locations to the ring I8. These arms are mounted forrotation about 'a on top of the horizontal ilange of the sleeve 21 andkeeps foreign matter out of the joint. A nut Suspended from and securedto the vertical equatorial ring- I8 are frame members 32 (Fig. 1)

'and compensate for a normal out of balance conhinged or sliding of thebasket may be omitted.

6 dition that may' arise from an uneven distribution of clothes. throughone or Accessv to the basket may be had more suitably located lockabledoors 42 which may be brought into augment with an opening in the outercasingnormally closed by a door I3.

A primary feature of this invention involves the propulsion of a basketwhich is arranged for rotative movement about not require the throwingof clutches to connect and disconnect the power. For this purpose, I

vpreferably employ two separate motors or driving a suitable supplypipe.

lower end of an elbow This comprises a nozzle 48 projectingsubstantially horizontally from the through a pipe 56 with a suitablesource of fluid pressure.

Although the pipes U and 56 may receive fluid under pressure from othersources, such asa tap from the municipal water system, I prefer toemploy a self-contained iluid pressure system in which the cleansingfluid is forced under pressure to propel the pelton wheels. In thisconstruction, the outside fluid container or casing 68, which carriesthe basket structure, may be shaped as a hollow body of rectangular orcylindrical cross section. The lower plate 38, together with theadjacent walls of the casing and a partition 6I form an enclosure for anelectric pump unit arranged to propel fluid through the pipes 5I and 56.The waterqor other cleaning fluid may be introduced into the casingthrough a valved pipe line 62 shown at the top right hand corner of Fig.l. In a normal washing or bath rinsing operation of the device, cleaningfluid will besuch that the perforated basket I0 is about a third filled.A sight glass 63 may be located within a rectangular slot in the casingwall so as to show the height ofY the fluid, and a valved overflow pipe64 may also be provided to determine the fluid level. The fluid passesdownwardly basin at the right of the pump casing.

The pump unit comprises an electric motor 61, or other suitable sourceof motive power, which drives the propeller of a suitable centrifugalpump 68 axially aligned with nected to the shaft of the motor. The pumpreceives cleansing fluid from the sump 66 through a central pipe in thepartition 6|. The fluid is driven centrifugally by the pump through theconnection pipe 16 into a valve casing 1| which is arranged to controlthe iiow of the fluid to the two pelton wheels as well as the removalAof the cleaning uid from the washing zone.

The valve, which may be of suitable construction, comprises a rotarycylindrical or disk shaped member 12 (Figs. 2 and l3) provided with ahorizontal passage 13 subtending anl arc of 90 and adapted to connectthe pumpline with the pipe line 50 when the rotary valve'is in theposition of Fig. 2. This connection is made through two of three holesspaced by 90 in the outer cylindrical wall 14 within which the valvepart 12 rotates. When the valve 12 is rotated through 90 to the positionof Fig. 3, then the pump line 10 is connected with the pipe 56 whichcauses a jet to strike the buckets 54 and whirl the gimbal frame and thebasket carried thereby about the axis of the ball and socket joint.

The rotary valve disk 12 is keyed to an operating shaft 16 this shaftextends upwardly to a position out of the path of the revolving gimbalframe and basket where it may be operated by means of a bevelled gear 11on the shaft meshing with a gear 18 keyed on a cross shaft suitablymounted on the machine and which is operated by a handle 18 arranged onthe outside of the casing 60. The lower end of the shaft 16 connectswith a further rotary disk shaped valve plate 80 (Figs. l and 4) in avalve casing 8| resting on the bottom wall of the washer. The casing 8|is provided with an opening 83 close to the casing floor which givesaccess to the fluid within the sump 66. The rotary plate 6|! has apassage 82 suhtending an arc of 90 and arranged to connect the hole 83with a valved drain pipe the level of the through a passage 65 in theWall 38 and lls the sump 66 or settlingY the con- 69 connected with anopening (Fig. l) passing therethrough, and.

Y 66 is connected with the centrifuge propulsion which empties into thesewer or. other outside pipe line for removal of the uid from thewashing machine. The upper valve disk 12 also has a vertical hole 86(Figs. 2 and 3) adapted to connect an opening 81 in the partition 38with a drain pipe 88 which is so located above the valve structure thatthe cleaning fluid may be drained down to the level 89 (Fig. l)

These various valve parts are so arranged that `when the handle 19 isthrown to one position the pump may send fluid under pressure throughpipe 50 (Fig. 2) to the pelton wheel buckets 45 which causes the basketto revolve about a horizontal axis and tumble the clothes through thecleaning fluid contained within the casing. The other valve passages areclosed at that time. When the upper valve is moved to the position ofFig. 3, the vertical hole 86 through the upper valve disk 12 connectswith the drain pipe 68 and the fluid drains `off until it reaches thelevel 89 below the basket. At the same time, the pump system comprisingthe jet 55 and the pelton buckets 54 on the gimbal frame 20, and thusstarts rotation of the frame 20 which ultimately whirls the basket atthe high speed required to dry the clothes.` The clothes may be rinsedrepeatedly by simply whirling out the old cleaning fluid and thenintroducing fresh fluid through pipe 62 while the valves are in thepositions of Fig. l for tumbling the clothes. When the machine is to beentirely emptied, the handle 19 'is .thrown to a further position atwhich the lower valve 80 permits the fluid to pass through the exit pipe84. This lower valve remains closed during both the washing and thecentrifuging of the clothes, so that the sump always contains fluid foroperation of the pump.

It will thus be seen that the cleaning fluid, such as an aqueous soapsolution, will serve to operate the pelton Wheel for tumbling theclothes while the outer casing is filled with water at the requiredlevel. Also, the rinsing water serves the same purpose. When the clothesare to be centrifuged, enough of the last rinse water remains in thesump to operate the high speed pelton wheel 54. It may also be notedthat centrifugal force prevents the clothes from being wetted by watersplashing from the pelton buckets 54, s o that the extracted.

In the construction of Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown a preferred form ofthe invention in which the basket carrying the clothes is universallymounted for automatic compensation of any out of balance condition thatarises at the start of the centrifugal extracting of the fluid. In thisconstruction, the basket |00 is mounted on two pivotally connectedgimbal frames |0| and |02 arranged for rotative motion about two axes atright angles to each other.

The basket may be spherical in shape or otherwise suitably shaped. Ifdesired, the basket may have a central partition so arranged that theclothes may be roughtly divided into two equal portions when first putinto the machine. A suitable door |03 on the basket and a communieatingdoor |04 on the outer casing are provided for introducing the clothes.The basket may be formed of perforated sheet metal suitably shaped andcrimped to provide the clothes tumbling ribs or paddles |05.

At diametrically opposite points on a horizontal equator (Fig. 6) aretwo trunnions or bosses |06 secured to the basket. The gimbal frame |0Iis fluid will be adequately .surround the post ||4, lsoi.' the bearingsrests on "such as from a centrifugal vane pump ausavos ring and madeeither of a ilat band or tubular metal, such as rustless steel. Thisring is likewise provided with two bosses |08 diametrically opposed tothe bosses |09 oi' the basket, and pins |09 passing through the two setsof bosses form bearings i'or the basket within this gimbal frame I Anyother suitable bearing construction may be provided.

The gimbal ring |0| is likewise pivotally secured to the depending armsof the semi-circular yoke frame |02. At the right hand side of the yoke,a bearing pin ||0 secured to and projecting radially from the inner ring|0| projects into and rotates within a suitably shaped bearing hole inthe outer frame |02. At the leit hand side, a special bearing structureis provided as will be described, and the parts are so arranged that theinner ring is mounted for rotation about axially aligned bearings lyingin a horizontal plane. If desired, suitable ballor roller bearings maybe provided to insure a better bearing support for the parts. Thus thebasket may rotate freely to move the center of mass laterally intoalignment with the center of the basket and so seek a static balance asdetermined by uneven distribution of the clothes therein.

In order to provide for centrifuging the clothes, the yoke shaped frame|02 is mounted for rotation about the substantially vertical axis of acentral post ||4 suitably secured to or integral with the yoke frame |02midway between and at right angles to the bearings which carry the limergimbal ring. The post projects upwardly through the top wall of thecasing H5, which is provided with an enlarged boss ||6 to give anadequate radial bearing support for the post ||4. Suitable thrust rolleror ball bearings ||1 and the lower raceway the boss I6 while the placeby a washer and substantially a circular upper raceway is held in nut||3 threaded on the end of the post. 'I'hus the entire weight of theclothes basket and the supporting frames is borne by the thrust bearings1 and the frame |02 may be rotated about that vertical-axis to extractthe fluid in the clothes.

The container for the water or other cleaning iluid may be shaped toprovide a partial spherical Wall 20 located beneath and fairly close tothe basket |00 but giving enough clearance so that the gimbal ring |0|may revolve freely. A vertical tubular wall |2| below the basket forms asump |22 connected with the washing space and which provides a fluidsupply for the pump. 'I'he clean- `ing uid, such as soap and water, maybe admitted through a valved pipe |23 suitably located and connected toa supply, such as the house water main.

The basket and its supporting frame may be rotated rapidly about avertical axis by means of a pelton wheel |25 secured to the gimbal yokeframe |02 and surrounding the post ||4. This wheel may be arrangedequatorially of the basket or otherwise as desired. The blades |26 ofthe pelton wheel are struck by a fluid jet from the nozzle |21 of a pipe|28 controlled by a valve #29. The uid under pressure is suitablyderivedl outside of and near the sump |22 and which is connected throughthe pipe line |3| with the nozzle pipe |28. The centrifugal pump |30 maybe of desired construction, and it is driven by a suitable variable orconstant speed electric motor |32 having its shaft axially connected tothe shaft of the centrifugal propeller. 'I'he uid is derived I4-om thesettling tank |22 through a passage |33 |30 located connecting with thecentral portion of the pump. The pelton wheel |25 and its vanes. as wellas the other pelton wheels described, will be of suitable size andshape, and the velocity and the volume of the Jet of propelling duidwill be proportioned in accordance with the desired end.

VThis type of drive is one in which the pelton wheel will acceleratesmoothly to the required rotative speed and thus will not impose anysevere strain on the machine parts or the clothes The basket may berevolved around the basket with reference to the axles |09.

If desired, a pair of stop pins |31 may be adjustably threaded throughthreaded nuts secured to opposite sides of one of the yoke arms |02 andso positioned that the equatorial gimbal ring |0| may swing only througha suitable limited angle. such as 10 or 20 degrees, and thus insure thatthe |09 will remain substantially horizontal during the slow speedclothes tumbling ployed for this purpose. Also, the stopsr may belocated on a yoke arm arranged at to the two arms |02 so as to pins |09on the gimbal ring. In the construction illustrated, the stops arearranged at such angles and suiiciently far from the gimbal pins so asto engage the ring |0| at a considerable distance from the pivots. Thisconstruction permits locating the container wall |20 close to thebasket, and if desired that wall may serve as the stop limit.

The normal out of balance condition will usually require only a limitedrotation of the ring |0|, so that the stops |31 will not materiallyhinderk the automatic compensation for running balance, which rotationo! ter of mass laterally into augment with the vertical axis ofrotation.

In order that a iiuid |35 for any position oi pose to introduce thefluid through the gimbal ring itself, and thus have this jet alwayscorrectly positioned when the gimbal ring turns to end of the left handarm of the gimbal yoke frame |02. This trunnion |30 has a centralopening |39 connecting with a passage |40 within the yoke arm |02. Thehorizontal passage |39 connects through a short branch with an annulargroove |42 on the outside of the trunnion |39, and this groove serves tosupply iluid to the nozzle hole |43 in the gimbal ring |0| which pointsalways towards the buckets |35 irrespective of any swinging movement ofthe ring about the trunnion. The passage |40 in the gimbal yoke |0|connects at its upper end with a vertical passage |44 within the bearingpost I4 and which in turn receives iluid from a supply pipe |45 througha joint (not shown) which permits rotation of` the post 4. The supplypipe may branch off the main pipe |3| and thus receive uid underpressure from the pump. A valve |46 in the supply pipe |45 controls theiiow of iluid provide stops adjacent to the 's accesos the basket.A maybe revolved at a desired rate for tumbling and washing the clothes, orit may be rebasket at the beginning or the high speed cem The sump |22has two exit pipes l|41 and |48 suitably controlled byvalvesand-connecting with an outside drain pipe. All 'or the uid maybe drainedfrom the machine throughpipe. |48; but the pipe |41 is located above theintake |33 to the centrifugal pump'so that fluid is always provided forvthe pump operation during the centrifugal extraction. The various valvesand pump driving mechanism may be suitably controlled by a timingcontrol device, so that the various stages of washing, rinsing andcentrifuging the clothes may be successively accomplished withoutattention on the part of the operator. The valves |28 and `|46 or otheradjustment devices may be so adjusted preliminarily as to control thevolume of the jets which revolve the basket in the two directions. Acomparatively slow speed such as 30 R. P. M. 'willserve the purpose oftumbling the clothes through the cleansinguid, and a speed of 300 R.. P.M. will extract the fluid from the'clothes. f

In Figs. '1 and 8 I have shown another modification of this inventionwherein the clothes basket ismounted for a universal lateral movement ofthe center of mass, so that it may seek automatic compensatiton foranout of balance condition of the clothes in the basket. I further providefor spraying or introducing fluid into the clothes during washing orrinsing thereof or while centrifugally removing fluid therefrom. Thisconstruction comprises a spherical clothes basket |50 made of metalhaving perforations suitably arranged for the admission of fluid fromthe surrounding container, and which may have a vertical diametricalpartition |5| therein as well as the doors |52 communicablewith a doorin the casing for the necessary access to the interior thereof. Ifdesired, ribs |53 may be suitably arranged for dragging the clothesthrough the wash water and causing the tumbling and washing action. Thisbasket is supported by trunnicns |54 diametrically arranged in asubstantially horizontal position and which are carried by suitablebearings, such as ball bearings mounted in raceways |55. These racewaysare resiliently supported, as will be explained, in the two dependingarms |56 of a yoke frame which may be mounted substantially the same asthe yoke frame shown in Fig. 5. That is, the yoke frame is securedintegrally to a vertical anged post |58 which is mounted in aradial'bearing sleeve |59. The post and the basket are supported on asuitable thrust bearing |60, shown for simplicity of illustration asballs between the two raceway plates. A nut |5| threaded on the top endof the post holds the parts in position. The yoke arms |56 and thebasket supported thereby may be revolved by means of a suitable variableor constant speed :duid pressure or electric motor` In the formillustrated. an electric motor |52 is mounted on the top of the casing|53. The motor |52 is connected by a yV-belt drive to a pulley |64 keyedto the post |58, so that vthe basket may be rotated about the verticalaxis of the post at a required speed for the centrifugal extraction offluid from .the clothes. A flange |55 on the bottom of the post |50prevents upward movement of the assembled parts.

Compensation for an out of balance condition due to uneven distributionofl the clothes inthe trii'uge action is obtained by so mounting thebearings for the horizontal trunnions |54 that they move up or downunder a resilient restraint as the center of mass seeks to movelaterally and align itself vertically with the axis of rotation. To thisend, each of the yoke arms |56, which may be made of tubing or othersuitable construction, has its lower end constructed like a piece ofcylindrical tubing |10 but which is so .bent that the center line of thetubing is an arc of a sphere centered at the center of the basket |50.The Walls of the tubular portion |10 are closed at the bottom |1| andthe top |12. Two elliptical openings |13 having their longer dimensionsvertical are formed medially at opposite sides of this arcuate tubularpart |10, and they are so arranged that the trunnion |54 of the basketmay project therethrough and be permitted a necessary vertical movement.The trunnions rotate on the radial and end thrust bearings |55, theinner raceway of which is held in place by a shoulder on the trunnionand a nut |15 threaded thereon.

The outer raceway of each ball bearing is resiliently supported betweentwo coiled compression springs |16 and |11. The upper spring engages thetop wall |12 of the recess within the arcuate tubular portion |10, andthe lower end of the spring rests against the inner end of a shoe formedof a piece of tubing |18 closed at its lower end and shaped to fitslidably within the arcuate recess of the outer tubing |10. The lowerside of that slidable shoe interts with and so positions the outerraceway of the ball bearing |55. Similarly, at the lower portion of thearcuate tubing |10, the compression spring |11 engages the bottom |1| ofthe tubing, which may be a screw cap, and the upper end of thatcompression spring likewise fits within the recess and engages the upperend of a tubular slide shoe |19, similar to the part |18, which slidesWithin the outer tubing |10. The shoe engages the under side of theouter raceway of the ball bearings.

Hence, the spherical basket |50 is so mounted that the trunnions maymove vertically by revolving under resilient restraint about the centerof the sphere. That is, when one trunnion moves downwardly, the othertrunnion moves upwardly to an equal extent as permitted by the slideshoes |18 and |19 which can move only in an arcuate path defined by animaginary sphere centering at the basket center.

The two lower springs |11 are made sufiiciently strong to carry thenormal weight of the loaded basket; but the basket cannot movedownwardly except to a very limited extent as permitted by the loosenessor play of the slide shoes |18 and |19 in the arcuate tubing |10. Thatis, if the weight is such that both trunnions |54 attempt to movedownwardly to an equal extent at the same time, the lower slide shoes|19 will bind against the outer portions of the interior face of thetube |10 and the upper slide shoes |18 will likewise bind against theinner portions of their slide recesses. On the other hand, the shoes maymove freely just so long as the trunnions are aligned diametrically withthe center of the imaginary sphere defined by the arcuate center linesof the recesses. Hence, if the clothes in the basket are unevenlydistributed so that the center of mass is not vertically aligned withthe center of the sphere, the basket will rotate freely about itshorizontal axis and compensate in part for the out ofV balance. If thecenter of mass then remains at one side of a vertical plane through thebasket center, then when the basket is rotated at high speed for thecentrifuging operation, that .center of mass will move laterallyintovertical il alignment with its axis of rotation to that extent permittedby the spring mounts, in which case one trunnion will move down and theother trunnion moves up to an equal extent. 'I'he length of the springsand the arcuate recess, as well as the elliptical openings |'|3 are madeof suilicient size so that the normal out of balance condition may beadequately compensated. This construction, like the others, provides fora universal lateral movement, i. e. relative to the directions of thecompass, so that the center of mass may align itself with the axis ofhigh speed rotation.

The basket is rotated for the washing or cleansing operation by aflexible power drive which will operate satisfactorily for any positionof the basket. This preferably comprises a pelton wheel construction ofthe type above described. The pelton wheel may be suitably located, such:for example as equatorially and vertically of the sphere, asillustrated in Fig. 7. This wheel comprises the pelton blades |80integrally secured to a band |8| that is in turn aiiixed to the outersurface of the perforated spherical basket. Fluid under pressure issupplied from a nozzle |82 which is so directed that the fluid willnormally strike a dividing edge between the concave bucket portions ofthe blade made in accordance with standard construction. Fluid underpressure is suitably supplied to the nozzle |82 through a pipe |83connected with a source of pressure, such as a pump of the type abovedescribed with reference to the constructions of Figs; 1 and 5 andsuitably operated either by a separate motor or by a shaft extendingdownwardly from the motor |62. This pipe |83 threads into an elbowopening in a stationary cap |84 of suitable water tight constructionwhich closes the upper end of a central recess |85 in the post |58. Apipe extension |86 connects with the cap and is pipe |88 is arrangedextends downwardly U-shaped ring |90 having spaced parallel flangesengaging a follower ball |92 depending from the lower end of an arm |93which projects laterally from and is secured to the nozzle |82. Thenozzle |82 projects from and opens into a hollow cylindrical valve likesleeve |94 (Fig. 8) provided with closed ends. The sleeve |94 isrotatably mounted within a cylindrical casing |95 that is formed as anextension of the pipe |88. A suitable hole |96 in the inner sleeve |94and which is larger than the opening at the bottom of the pipe permitsthe nozzle to raise and lower slightly and yet supply the full owparticular construction is required to permit the spherical basket totilt upwardly or downwardly at either side and thus require raising thenozzle somewhat as well as swinging it' laterally so that it will followin an approximately correct of uid thereto. This i 14 position forthrowing the iluid against the pelton blades.

A further feature oi' this invention involves introducing iluid into theinterior of a double axis basket during either the washing or thecentrifuge operation, and whether or not compensation is made for an outof balance condition. If clothes are being cleaned with gasoline orbenzine, it may be desirable to recirculate the iluid or to introducenew iiuid through the basket during that operation. Also, an aqueoussoap solution or other cleansing fluid may be introduced into the basketfor laundering operations. It is particularly useful to introduce clearwater under a desired pressure for a pelting rinsing operation, afterthe washing fluid has been w'ithdrawn from the casing |63.

For these various purposes, I have provided an opening 200 through eachof the trunnions |54 which communicates with the interior of thespherical basket, and this opening serves for the introduction of thedesired iiuid for any position of the basket and whether it is rotatingabout the trunnions or is being rotated about the vertical axis. A pipe20| communicates with that opening and is suitably connected to thetrunnion. This pipe is somewhat L shaped and its upper portion 202 isarcuate shaped and slidably fits within an arcuate shaped end 203 of apipe 204 that is suitably carried by each of the yoke arms |58. Theparts 202 and 203 have a slidable interiltting arrangement which permitsthe sphere to tilt as required for an out of balance compensation. Itwill be appreciated that the pipe 20| may be a exible rubber tubesuitably connected to the pipe 204 so as to permit the required tiltingof the sphere. The upper end of each pipe 204 communicates with alateral opening 205 through the lower flanged portion of the post |58,and that opening communicates with the space Within the hollow post.This space surrounds and does not communicate with the pipe |86 thatsupplies the iluid under pressure to the pelton wheel. The cap |84 hasan annular passage 201 therein communicating with a supply pipe 208through which the desired fluid is introduced. The cap is held in astationary position by the pipes |83 and 208. By this means, I maysupply the desired uid, such as clear rinsing water, while the basket isbeing revolved about either of its axes. The inner end of the pipe 200may have a suitable spray nozzle or be otherwise shaped as desired, andby this means water may be thrown against the clothes and serve by apelting action to drive the washing water out of the clothes. If acleansing medium is forced into the basket, such as a soapy watersolution or benzine, then that same pelting action will aid in cleansingthe clothes. It will also be understood that the nozzle channel 200 maybe extended to'a position near the center of the sphere if desired, sothat the iiuid may be introduced into the central portion of the basket,whereby centrifugal force will tend to throw it outwardly through theclothes and further aid in cleansing them. c

It will also be understood that the various constructional details ofthe other modications above described, such as shown in Fig. 5, may beemployed in connection with the apparatus of Figs. 7 and 8.- Also, theconstructions of Figs. l and 5 may be so modiiied as to provide for thespray rinse of the clothes within the basket, or for circulating anydesired uid directly into the gusanos interiors of the clothes baskets,either while the basket is stationary or rotating about either axis.This fluid may come from a fresh source or from the settling basin orsump at the bottom of the apparatus. Thus, I may pelt the clothes with ahigh speed jet or spray of desired fluid. Such a construction involveslargely a duplication of the conduits arranged to introduce the peltonjet to the gimbal ring of Fig. and so need not be here illustrated. Thestructure of Fig. 1 may be made substantially like that shown in Fig. 7for introducing the extra fluid. y

The basket in any of these modifications may be oscillatedintermittently` through a part turn or several turns in one directionand then in the opposite direction by so arranging jet nozzles that thepropelled fluid strikes rst one side of 16 A suitable stop and governordevice as applied to the construction of Fig. 5 is illustrated in Fig.10. This comprises a governor weight 220 mounted on the end of the longarm of a lever 22| of 'if the rst class which is suitably pivoted on apin 222 carried by a bifurcated post 223 that is suitably mounted on oneof the yoke arms |02. The

a double pelton wheel vane and then on the other side, and for thispurpose the vanes may be provided with the standard pelton buckets onboth sides thereof. A suitable three-way valve may be manually orautomatically controlled to send the fluid first to one nozzle and thento the other for the oscillating motion. For example, the constructionshown somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 9 may be employed, in which thebasket l0 of Fig. 1 may have the blades 45 replaced by double sidedblades 2|0 which have the standard pelton buckets on both sides thereof.Two nozzles 2|| and 2|2 face in opposite` directions and downwardlytoward the blades. The* nozzle 2|| communicates with a pipe 2M openingto a passage 2I5 of a suitable three-way valve 2|6 provided with ahandle 2 1 to align the openings. Similarly, the other nozzle 2 I2communicates through its pipe extension with an opening 2|8 in the valvecasing when the valve handle is suitably operated. Fluid under pressureenters the valve through the pipe 2 |9. The handle 2|1 may be operatedby suitable timing mechanism or by automatic constructions arranged topermit the basket to oscillate through a part turn or several turnsbefore the valve is thrown to reverse the direction of rotation. Thusthe clothes may be tumbled for the washing action by rotativeoscillation of the basket about the horizontal axis, and this will aidin preventing the clothes from twisting together. It will, therefore, beappreciated that the term rotary and other like expressions as usedherein are intended to cover either a continuous motion or anintermittent oscillating rotative motion of the basket about that axiswhich serves for the washing operation'.`

As a further feature of this invention, I may add a stop or a lockingdevice which serves automatically to hold the basket in a self-attainedstatic balance at the beginning of the centrifuge high speed rotation.That is, after the clothes have been initially washed by the tumblingoperation above described and the wash water has been removed, thebasket will automatically seek a static balance insofar as permitted bythe particular construction involved. In the construction of Fig. l, thebasket may merely rotate about its horizontal axis, while in theconstruction of Fig. 5, both the basket and the gimbal ring IUI may moveto such a position as to obtain a peri'ect static balance. Theconstruction of Fig. 'i' also permits Aa limited movement towards astatic balance. Since the removal of water during high speed rotationabout the vertical axis may change the location of the center of mass,the basket may move to a new position under the forces involved. Toavoid such movement during centrifuging, I propose to lock the basket inits assumed Static position before the basket is rotated at high speed.

lever is preferably arranged radially of the spherical basket IUU. Astop 225 shaped at its lower side to engage the outer surface of thebasket or some other constructional part is mounted on the lower end ofa slide rod 226 slidably passing through a suitably located hole in alaterally extending lug 221 on the yoke arm |02. This rod is pivotallyconnected at its upper end with the short end of the lever 22|. Theweight 220 is so located, as illustrated, that when the yoke arm |02 isrevolved at an increasing speed, the weight 22|) moves outwardly undercentrifugal force and thus pushes down on the rubber lock 225 and clampsit against the adjacent portion of the basket which has moved intoposition when the static balance was attained. The lock 225 and itssupporting lug 221 are so located and arranged that the basket mayrotate and move automatically to obtain a static balance without thepelton blades interfering with the lock. The lug 221 may be made longenough to keep the lock out of the path of the blades for any normaladjusted position thereof. Various other constructional features may beemployed for the purpose. Centrifugal force holds the weight in aclamping position during the high speed centrifuge operation, and thusthe basket cannot move to any new position until the centrifugal forcehas decreased enough to permit the Weight 220 to fall and release thelock 225 from engagement with the basket. This feature may be similarlyapplied to the other constructions of Figs. 1 and '7 so as to permit thebasket to attain a static balance and then be held from rotation aboutthe horizontal axis during centrifuging.

The operations of these various devices will be apparent in the abovedisclosure. The construction of Figs. l and 2 is such that the clothesbasket is supported like a pendulum on a universal ball and socketjoint. Gravity holds the basket with .its center of mass substantiallyaligned vertically with the pivot point of the ball and socket jointduring the operation of tumbling the clothes about the horizontal axis.However, when the basket is'to be rotated about the substantiallyvertical axis by means of the pelton blades 54, there may be an out ofbalance condition because of uneven distribution of the clothes in thebasket. Consequently, as the centrifuge rotation accelerates, the centerof the basket moves automatically in response to the laws of motionuntil the rapidlyrevolving center of mass of the basket and clothes,under the influence of gravity and centrifugal force, attains a verticalalignment with the center point of the supporting ball and socket joint,and the geometric center of the rotating basket moves in a circular pathabout its point of suspension. As the fluid in the clothes is thrownoutwardly therefrom, the center of mass may change its position and thebasket automatically seeks a new running balance. But the lock 225, ifused, will prevent ihe basket from rolling on its horizontal axis.

In the construction of Figs. 5 and 6, the basket can attain a staticbalance at any time by merely turning about its two pivotal supports.Thus, when it is started in rotation for the centrifuging step, thatcenter of mass is in a vertical alignment with the axis of rotation ofthe suspension pivot H4. The lock 225, if used, will hold it in thatassumed position during centrifuging. If the lock 225 is not used, thenthe basket remains free to move under the various forces involved. Inthe construction of Fig. 7, the supporing frame for the basket isrotated about the fixed axis of the suspension bearings, but any staticout of balance condition tends to be compensated at the beginning ofrotation as permitted by the springs carrying the freely rotatablebasket and the stop 'I'he operations of the motors and the controlvalves will be readily apparent and need not be further described, Itmay, however, be pointed out that the pelton wheel and the electricmotor above described give a flexible drive and a smooth accelerationand deceleration of the baske'; motion, and that they remain always inoperative relationship with the basketl so that the basket may berotated in two directions at the same time, if desired, and each motionis independently controlled. Many other advantages will be readilyapparent.

It will now be appreciated that various modifications may be made inthese constructions within the scope of this invention. For example, thependulum ball and socket support for the basket shown in Fig. 1 may bereversed so that the basket is mounted on a ball and socket jointlocated therebeneath. Suitable springs may be connected between theinverted slide block and the casing to hold the basket in an uppermostposition during washing. The centrifugal and pendulum action serving tocompensate for an out of balance condition would act substantially thesame as above described. Similarly, the structure of Fig. 5 may bereversed to have the yokes and their bearing support arranged below thebasket. Also, the uid pressure drives may be employed to rotate eithercontinuously or oscillatively a clothes basket which is mounted forrotation about two axes but where no compensation can be made for an outof balance condition. Such an arrangement will make a double axis basketmachine capable of automatic control for the two rotative motions andthe introduction and removal of the desired uids. Other modificationsand various substitutions of parts for those herein described will bereadily suggested to one skilled in the art. Hence, the above disclosureis to be interpreted as describing the principles underlying myinvention and my preferred embodiments thereof and not as imposinglimitations on the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing fluid, a.clothes basket therein, bearings supporting the basket for rotationabout two axes which are substantially horizontal and vertical, meansfor supplying fluid under pressure, two sets of pelton wheel vanesconnected to the basket and associated .iet devices for delivering saidfluid under pressure to the vanes and rotating the basket about eitherof said axes, and control means for causing said fluid under pressure tooperate said mechanisms selectively for rotating the basket about eitherof said axes.

2. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing fluid, meansfor introducing the uid thereto, a clothes basket therein, bearingsupports which provide for rotation of the basket about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, means supporting the basket for rotation about asubstantially vertical axis, a power operated pump for supplying underpressure fluid derived from the bottom of said container, independenthydraulic devices connected to the container for selectively rotating itabout either of the axes, valve mechanism for supplying said fluid underpressure selectively to either of said devices, and valve mechanism forwithdrawing fluid to a level below the basket which leaves fluid in thecontainer for circulation by said pump, whereby clothes may be firstcleansed while rotated in the iluid about a substantially horizontalaxis and thereafter centrifuged by rotation above the fluid level abouta substantially vertical axis.

3. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing fluid, aclothes basket therein, means supporting the basket for rotation about asubstantially vertical axis and for universal lateral movement of thecenter of mass of the loaded basket towards alignment with said axis andthe attainment of a running balance for an unequally distributed mass ofclothes during rapid rotation thereof, mechanism for rotating the basketrapidly about said axis irrespective of any lateral movement thereof,and means for imparting rotative motion to the basket about a dilerentaxis for cleansing the clothes by said fluid.

4. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing fluid, aclothes basket therein, means supporting the basket for rotation about asubstantially vertical axis and for a universal lateral movement of thecenter of mass of the basket towards alignment with said axis when thebasket is rotated rapidly while loaded with an unequally distributedmass of clothes, a pivotal support for rotation of the basket about adilerent axis, and power mechanisms maintained in operative relationshipwith the basket for selective rotative movement of the basket about saidaxes irrespective of the position of the basket when said movement isinitiated.

5. Laundry apparatus comprising a fluid con- 'y tainer, a clothes baskettherein, a pivotal support for free rotation of the basket about asubstantially horizontal axis, a pivotal support for rotation of thebasket about a substantially vertical axis, means cooperating with saidsupports which provides for universal lateral movement towards thevertical axis of the center of mass of the basket when loaded withunequally distributed clothes, means for removing the fluid from thecontainer, means for rotating the basket rapidly about said verticalaxis irrespective of said lateral movement, means for imparting slowrotative movement to the basket about the horizontal axis and whichleaves the basket free for rotation about the horizontal axis duringrapid rotation about the vertical axis and automatically acting meansfor preventing free rotation of the basket about the horizontal axisduring its high speed rotation about the vertical axis.

6. Laundry apparatus comprising a fluid container, a. clothes baskettherein, a pivota1 support for rotation of the basket about asubstantially vertical axis, a gimbal ring carried by said support, apivotal support mounted on the ring for free rotation of the basketabout a substantially horizontal axis and for universal lateral movementrelative to the vertical axis, means for rotating the basket rapidlyabout said vertical axis, means for imparting slow rotative movement tothe basket relative to the horizontal axis and a brake movably mountedon the gimbal ring for engaging the basket which is biased out of con-19 tact therewith and a pivotally mounted weight carried by the ring andoperated by centrifugal force during rapid rotation of the gimbal ringwhich is connected to hold the brake in engagement with the basket, sothat the basket is prevented from rotation about the horizontal axisduring its rapid rotation about the vertical axis,

'7. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing fluid, aclothes basket therein, means which supports the basket for rotativemovement about one axis for the cleansing operation, a support for thebasket which provides for cleansing uid, a clothes basket therein, a

support which provides for rotative movement of the basket about asubstantially horizontal axis for the cleansing operation, a supportwhich provides for rotation of the basket about a substantially verticalaxis, means cooperating with said supports which provides for auniversal lateral movement of the center of mass of the basket whenloaded with unequally distributed clothes towards alignment with saidvertical axis, separate independently controlled iluid pressuremechanisms maintained in operative association with the basket forrotative movement of the basket about the horizontal axis and a rapidcentrifuge rotation about the vertical axis, means for supplying iiuidunder pressure and control means which causes the iluid under pressureto operate said mechanisms selectively for rotating the basket abouteither axis.

9. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing iluid, aclothes basket therein,

` means supporting the basket for rotation about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, means supporting the basket for rotation about asubstantially vertical axis, means cooperating with said supports whichprovides for lateral movement towards alignment with the vertical axisof the center of mass of the basket when loaded with unequallydistributed clothes, power mechanism for selectively imparting rotativemovement to the basket relative to each of its axes, means forintroducing iiuid toand removing it from the container for a washingoperation, and means for introducing fluid under pressure directly intothe interior of the basket for any position of rotation and lateralmovement thereof, and which does not interfere with movement of theclothes.

10. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing fluid, avertical axis rotatable support carried by the container, opposed yokearms revolubly carried by the support and having diametrically oppositepivots, a gimbal ring pivoted on said pivots, a closable basket forclothes pivoted on the ring at right anglesto the yoke pivots, means forintroducing iiuid to and removing it from the container, means forrotating the basket slowly within the gimbal ring, and means forrevolving the yoke arms rapidly about the vertical axis and centrifugingthe clothes.

11. Laundry apparatus comprising a. uid container, a clothes baskettherein, a pivotal support for rotation of the basket about asubstantially vertical axis, a second pivotal support providing forrotation of the basket about a substantially horizontal axis, meanscooperating with said second pivotal support which provides foruniversal lateral movement towards alignment 'with said vertical axis ofthe center of mass of the basket when it is loaded with an unequallydistributed mass of clothes, means for rotating the basket rapidly aboutthe vertical axis irrespective of any lateral movement thereof, andmeans providing for a slow rotative movement of the basket about thehorizontal axis.

l2. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing iiuid, aclothes basket therein, a support for rotation of the basket about asubstantially vertical axis, a support for rotative movement of thebasket about a substantially horizontal axis, means cooperating withsaid supports which provides for a universal lateral movement of thecenter .of mass of a rapidly rotated unbalanced basket, means fordelivering the container iluid under pressure, mechanism operated bysaid fluid pressure for rotating the basket about the horizontal axis,mechanism for rotat' ing the basket about the vertical axis for anylateral position thereof and means for selectively causing the rotationof the basket by either one of said mechanisms.

13. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing iiuid, meansfor introducing fluid thereto and removing it therefrom, a clothesbasket, a rst support for rotation of the basket about a substantiallyvertical axis, means including a second support carried by the firstwhich provides for rotation of the basket about a. substantiallyhorizontal axis and universal lateral movement of the center of masstowards alignment with the vertical axis, mechanism for supplying uidunder pressure, fluid pressure operated vanes connected to the basketand associated jet devices for rotating the basket about both axesirrespective of said lateral movement, and means for selectivelysupplying iiuid under pressure to cause either of said devices to rotatethe basket.

14. Laundry apparatus comprising a container for cleansing uid, aclothes basket therein, means for supplying fluid to the container to alevel above the bottom of the basket, supports which provide forrotation of the basket about substantially vertical and horizontal axes,said container providing a uid space beneath the basket, means forwithdrawing the fluid from said space and supplying it under pressure, adevice operated by said fluid under pressure for rotating the basketabout the vertical axis, means including avalve controlled outlet forwithdrawing fluid to a level below the basket which leaves a fluidsupply in said space for operation of said device to rotate the basketabout the vertical axis, and means for rotating the basket slowly aboutthe horizontal axis while the valved outlet is closed and the level ofthe fluid is above the bottom of the basket.

15. Laundry apparatus according to claim 14 comprising means associatedwith the basket supports which provides for universal lateral movementtowards alignment with the vertical axis of the center of mass of arapidly rotated unbalanced basket having the clothes in an uneven 2ldistritmtion, and the iuid pressm'o device is maintained in operativerelationship with the basket for any position of lateral movementthereof.

TAYIQR P. CALHOUN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me oi'this patent: 10

UNITED STATES PATENTS yNumber Name Date 1,358,168 McCutchen Nov. 9, 19291,982,636 Carlson Dec. 4. 1934 2,121,431 Hamm June 21, 1939 2,142,995Busi Jan. 10, 1939 2,171,499 Busi Aug. 29, 1939 2,174,777 carter e oet3, 1939 2,356,816 Breckenridge Aug. '29, 1944 2,356,918 Bruckman Aug.29, 1944

